The scope of preschool education in Azerbaijan is being expanded. According to the new legal amendment, pre-school preparation groups and preschool education can now also be organized in out-of-school educational institutions.
Regarding the topic, Khalida Musayeva, Head of the Training and Education Center of ASPU, Ph.D. in Pedagogy, and specialist in preschool education, stated to AzEdu.az that certain articles related to this exist in the "Law on Preschool Education".
According to her, these articles aim to organize and expand the coverage of preschool education in civil educational institutions:
"For a long time, the coverage rate of preschool education in Azerbaijan was very low - approximately at the level of 16-17 percent. Overall, this indicator did not exceed 20-21 percent. In recent times, as a result of the implementation of various alternative forms of preschool education, it has been possible to increase this indicator to 30-35 percent.
The utilization of existing vacant rooms and facilities in out-of-school institutions can be considered a good option for increasing accessibility. This is because a large number of out-of-school institutions operate across the country, and most of them have good conditions. Their buildings are spacious and are generally structured in the format of educational institutions. Utilizing these opportunities can positively impact the wider dissemination of preschool education.
Alongside this, the process also entails certain risks and demands serious responsibility. One of the main issues is the availability of qualified personnel knowledgeable in preschool education within out-of-school institutions. That is, the question arises: are there enough specialists in this field? If not, how much financial and resource investment will be required for the training of these personnel?
If only individuals who have completed a specialization in preschool education work in these institutions, this would both positively impact the quality of education and create new opportunities for specialists seeking employment. This could also be a significant advantage for graduates with a specialization in preschool education who are currently waiting in line after taking exams and facing difficulties finding work".
Khalida Musayeva stated that activities conducted with 5-year-old children by primary school teachers do not always yield successful results:
"Because primary school teachers are primarily trained in organizing the educational process at the primary level. However, working with 5-year-old children requires a special approach, and these skills are mainly developed in specialists who have studied in the field of preschool education.
As for the issue of organizing groups, it is possible to create the necessary conditions for this. If the required equipment is placed in the rooms, an environment suitable for the age characteristics of children is established, and materials they can use are provided, this process can be organized effectively.
Furthermore, out-of-school institutions can obtain financial support for the creation of pre-school preparation groups by participating in grant programs announced annually by the Ministry of Science and Education. This can also contribute to a broader and higher-quality organization of activities.
Overall, this is a successful decision. However, it is important to pay attention to some crucial issues. The most important issue is that teaching should be conducted by qualified specialists. The involvement of non-specialized individuals in this field can negatively impact the quality of the educational process.
At the same time, it is also important to precisely define the legal and organizational foundations of this activity. A separate charter should be prepared for this. Although existing documents define the general framework, it is necessary to adopt a special document regulating issues such as room structure, equipment to be used, requirements for specialists who will work, and program organization. Such a document will help manage this process more efficiently and systematically".
